Airplane versus Helicopter tour

Has anyone got experience in the airplane tour from Kona and Helicopter tour from Kona The girl at the airplane tour says you do not miss anything and the price is less.Any info will be appericated

Airplane versus Helicopter tour

George-joan,

The planes fly higher and of course are unable to hover. They cannot fly into the valleys in Kohala where there are magnificent 2000 ft waterfalls. The helos do.

I have done both and I prefer the helo, but I will say that the planes give a unique perspective and truly circles the island. However, I did mine a few years ago now and the helo only a year ago, so they may be flying in different planes now.

Fixed wing would be cheaper. If your primary goal is to have an aerial view of the entire island, this is your best bet.

If you cannot miss the experience of flying into the keyhole and doing a slow circle in a cathedral of waterfalls (seeps really) then the helo tours is your only choice.

Good luck and happy travels!

Airplane versus Helicopter tour

I prefer the fix wing for the volcano and the Helo for the waterfalls

I have done both, and am a fix wing pilot..... so here goes

Helos cost 350 to 450 per person

Fix wing 199 to 290

The littel 45 min trips are like having a 20min honeymoon.... go for the 2 hr

I like the Hughes 500D /E with the 5 blade main rotor... over the Astar or eco-star for Helos .Its a working helo... built to be a scout /gunship for the army... no frills no music, no cd.... just a head set and a 3 point harness. plus if things go wrong the crash well.

I like the Cessna sky caravan over the cessna 182/ 172 or Piper Navajo or Chieftan

I like Big Island AIr out of Kona for Circle island

Blue Hawaii for the Kohala mt.

For helos over the south I always prefer to charter than to take a tour... costs about 700 an hour for up to 4 persons.. ( 20 min to volcano I use Volcopters out of Hilo when do...... he is not t tour operator... and they are the best/// they do all the work for the USGS and NPS.... if that tells you anything. figure 2 .3 hours t see the island.. like you never dreamed ( if you think doors off over the volcano.... try it next to the waterfall

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